Big weekend looming for Kawhi against OKC, Dallas

With Stephen Jackson likely not joining the team until next week, Leonard should fill most of the minutes left vacant with Richard Jefferson’s departure.

Leonard will draw a couple of tough defensive assignments in the next two nights as he hooks up with Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant and Dallas’ Shawn Marion. But Leonard has made remarkable strides in his rookie season as the closest thing the Spurs have to a defensive stopper.

And he’s been able to score a little bit, too.

On teams that are contending for playoff spots, Leonard is one of the leading-scoring rookies in the NBA.

Here’s a look at the NBA’s leading scoring rookies on teams that rank on playoff caliber teams.